John

Franklin-Myers

Franklin-Myers boasts 39 quarterback pressures and eight sacks this season. The impactful interior defender’s return comes at the right time. The Broncos will also get LB Dre Greenlaw (hamstring) back in the lineup on Saturday.

The first-round bye gave Franklin-Myers an additional week to get healthy after he missed the Broncos’ Week 18 game. His full practice Tuesday is a good indication he will play in the Divisional Round against the Bills. LB Dre Greenlaw (hamstring) was also limited and could be nearing a return in the playoffs.

Franklin-Myers accounted for 39 quarterback pressures and eight sacks this season, though the Broncos should be okay without him. The Chargers are resting many of their impactful starters in an attempt to preserve good health for the postseason. The Broncos currently hold the AFC’s No. 1 playoff seed and can retain it with a win.

Greenlaw is dealing with a quad issue that has lingered from the summer. The 28-year-old is no stranger to leg injuries, having suffered an Achilles rupture in the Super Bowl back in February 2024. He has yet to practice this season, indicating he is not close to returning for Week 2. Also sidelined on Wednesday was DE John Franklin-Myers (knee). Franklin-Myers did play in Week 1 but now begins Week 2 by missing the first practice of the week.

The other was defensive end John Franklin-Myers, who is in the last year of his current contract. Franklin-Myers, who has made it clear that he wants a contract extension, has been training on his own. The 28-year-old Franklin-Myers set a career high with 7 sacks last season. The Broncos expect him to be on hand at mandatory minicamp, which begins June 10. As for Surtain II, the 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, he has been at the Broncos complex at times during the offseason. The OTA sessions are voluntary.

Franklin-Myers was acquired from the Jets in the offseason and is a crucial component of Denver’s run defense. If he were to miss the remainder of this game, it would be a boost for Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.

Just days after acquiring Franklin-Myers from the Jets, the Broncos have given him a new deal to keep him with the team through 2025. The veteran defense end, who totaled 33 tackles and 3.5 sacks last season, will reportedly receive $7.9 million in guaranteed money. Franklin-Myers is a valued pass rusher and run stuffer along the interior. He’s totaled 14.5 sacks over the last three seasons and 154 pressures per PFF. He should provide plenty of punch to Denver’s interior.

Franklin-Meyers started all 17 games for the Jets last year, totaling 3.5 sacks and six TFLs. The Jets have a slew of young pass-rushers that all need playing time. Though Franklin-Meyers is a reliable veteran, he was due to see a reduced role in the Jets’ defense in 2023. Instead, he’ll get a shot at a starting role in Denver.

Per ESPN’s Field Yates, the team converted $4.3 million of his base salary into a signing bonus. The move creates roughly $3.5 million in cap space for this year. As Yates notes, this gives them some extra flexibility as they are expected to restructure Aaron Rodgers’ contract soon.

Franklin-Myers left the game in the second quarter, but was able to walk off the field under his own power.